Giant Sunflowers

The sunflower family includes over 20,000 distinct species. They are Compositae a diverse family of flowering plants that includes perennials and annuals. Other members of the same plant family include marigolds, dandelions and daisies.
Among the Compositae family are several species commonly referred to as Giant Sunflowers, some as big as trees. The Tallest Sunflower ever recorded came from the Netherlands and was over 25 feet tall. In 1983 a giant sunflower blossom was documented as slightly under 3 feet in circumference.

The easiest way to start sunflowers is by direct seeding, planting the seed directly in the ground where you intend to grow it. It can however be started indoors in cell-packs or peat pots.

If starting them outdoors, the soil temperature should be at least 55 - 60 degrees F and all possibilities of a late frost passed.

Some gardeners plant a few scattered here and there [keep them away from potatoes and beans] while others grow them in monocultured rows. In a small cluster or row they should be seeded about 6 inches apart with the seeds planted about 1.5 inches deep.